Book List: Video Games

Technology changes our world and the way we live, so of course authors have long been taking great delight in speculating how else it might change us. This list focuses on one particular popular pastime – video games:

In the dystopian world of 2044 the online world of OASIS is the ultimate escapism. Its creator has died leaving no heir – whoever finds and solves the riddles hidden within OASIS will inherit control of it (and a massive fortune to boot).

Erebos is a highly addictive but eerily sinister computer game (MMORPG). You cannot buy it, you cannot talk about it, and you don’t get second chances. When Nick finally gets his hands on a copy, he’s so immersed that – like so many players before him – he doesn’t think twice when the game starts giving him tasks to do in the real world.

In China and India the skills of teenage game-players are exploited by adults and companies for real-world profits and gains. These people are so ruthless that the teens will need real-world cooperation as well as the biggest online hack ever, in order to escape and survive.

Doctorow uses MMORPG to explore complicated real-world economics and social issues such as (un)fair working conditions and unionism.

Pratchett’s famous humour in a book specifically written for a younger audience. Johnny is happily playing the video game Only You Can Save Mankind when the aliens offer to surrender. Only Johnny (and Kirsty) can save the ScreeWee.